The goals and objectives for Franklin’s 2023 Open Space and Recreation Plan are the product of extensive public input and comments, as well as close coordination and extensive planning by Town staff, led by the Conservation Department and also including the Department of Planning and Community Development, the Recreation Department, the Public Works Department, Building and Inspectional Services, the GIS Department, and Franklin Public Schools, among others.
In particular, the OSRP goals and objectives reflect an analysis of the results of the Citizen Participation Survey, which provided the Conservation Department and Commission with data on the current usage of the Town’s Open Space and Recreation Areas, and residents’ viewpoints on issues such as conservation and protection of the Town’s natural resources; the availability, accessibility and condition of passive and active Recreation Areas and Open Spaces; and the need for improved connectivity between and among the Town’s Recreation Areas and Open Spaces.
Information gathered from the survey helped the Commission Department and Commission formulate goals and objectives that address residents’ desire for things such as improved accessibility (for example, a greater number of respondents (139) responded that they were “dissatisfied” or “very dissatisfied” with availability of Recreational spaces for persons with disabilities than those who responded as being “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with such availability (117)), better connectivity (64% of respondents rate accessibility to Open Space, natural areas and/or Recreation destinations by walking or biking as “very important”), improving existing conservation lands for Recreation, habitat and biodiversity (83% of respondents rate this as either a medium priority or high priority), and acquiring conservation lands for passive Recreation (70% of respondents rate this as either a medium priority or high priority). A slight majority of respondents (55%) rated the acquisition or construction of additional Recreation facilities as a medium or high priority, whereas a significant majority (80%) rated improving existing Recreational facilities as a medium or high priority.
The survey responses, as well as feedback generated during the course of the Conservation Department and Commission’s bi-weekly stakeholder meetings, office hours, and public hearings, were compiled, assessed and used to formulate the goals and objectives of the 2023 OSRP update, centered around the three central pillars of inclusivity and connectivity, growth of existing passive and active Recreational opportunities, and sustainability and protection of natural resources. These goals and objectives, broken out into specific categories of action items below, are meant to be cohesive and complementary of each other and created to address the desires, needs and concerns of the residents of the Town of Franklin regarding Open Space and Recreation.
The goals and objectives of this Plan are not designed to operate in a vacuum, but rather to be pursued in conjunction with the goals and objectives of other land use documents especially the Town’s forthcoming 2023-24 Master Plan update.
The following goals and objectives are identified to improve the quality of life for residents at neighborhood, town and regional level:
GOAL 1: Increase public awareness of Open Space and Recreation opportunities in Franklin.
Objective 1.1: Install maps and directional signage at Open Space and Recreation Areas, including signage identifying and directing visitors to walking/hiking trails, bike paths and bike lanes, and interconnected or nearby Open Spaces and Recreational areas, as well as signage (to the extent not already installed) which can identify characteristics of Open Spaces including unique flora and fauna, legacy trees, native animal species, and other pertinent information.
Objective 1.2: Create educational and/or outdoor programs to educate citizens about the environment and natural habitats in Franklin, as well as to promote agricultural engagement with the community, including through partnerships with Franklin High School, Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School, Norfolk Aggie, Boy Scouts/Girl Scouts, Franklin Future Leaders, local sports teams, and other organizations.
Objective 1.3: Assist schools and other organizations with environmental science, conservation and sustainability education.
Objective 1.4: Create a “Friends of Franklin Conservation” organization to encourage volunteer efforts to steward natural resources and sponsor town events to promote appreciation, awareness and utilization of Open Space to foster a community sense of identification with the land and resources.
GOAL 2: Promote, preserve and enhance existing Town Open Space resources.
Objective 2.1: Create a plan for prioritization and acquisition of Chapter 61, 61A, and 61B properties, and ensure the availability of adequate CPA and Open Space funding for the acquisition and preservation of such properties if and as they become available to the Town.
Objective 2.2: Prioritize land owned by the Town and managed by the Conservation Commission for development of resiliency improvements, improved trails and walking paths, increased public access (with a particular emphasis on accessibility to persons with disabilities), and approval of conservation restrictions to ensure the land will be permanently protected.
Objective 2.3: Create a master plan for the Maple Hill parcel, which should at minimum include the following: identifying and constructing appropriate and accessible trail heads and corresponding parking facilities and locations; promoting public awareness (including through off-site directional signage); balancing public access with the private property rights of adjacent neighborhoods; assessing the existing trail network; and promoting forest management best practices.
Objective 2.4: Create a master plan for Schmidt’s Farm, which should at minimum include the following: preserving the legacy agricultural use of Schmidt’s Farm, including studying the implementation of a town-managed community garden (similar to King Street Memorial), and/or town-leased agricultural plots (see, e.g., Norfolk Community Organic Farm); studying and identifying appropriate public access to Schmidt’s Farm, including studying existing trails and implementing new trails where appropriate; restoring the existing barn, and assessing potential future uses, including as an educational/community engagement facility (e.g., in collaboration with programs at Norfolk Aggie and Tri-County Regional), while celebrating and preserving the Schmidt Family legacy; and assessing potential partnerships with governmental and nonprofit organizations around preservation and wildlife management at Schmidt’s Farm (including potentially providing for wildlife resettlement).
Objective 2.5: Explore the creation of an independent, nonprofit land trust comprised of Franklin residents to hold conservation restrictions on Maple Hill and Schmidt’s Farm, and to have a role in the oversite and day-to-day management of Maple Hill and Schmidt’s Farm.
GOAL 3: Maximize Recreational opportunities to meet the community’s evolving needs by maintaining current inventory of facilities and programs and by providing new facilities and programs for both active and passive Recreation.
Objective 3.1: Maintain and improve current Recreation Areas and provide new Recreation opportunities for residents of all ages and levels of ability. In particular, as the Town continues to implement capital improvements at facilities such as Henry “Ski” Faenza Memorial Playground and Beaver Pond (currently underway/recently completed), Fletcher Field Playground (est. in 2023), King Street Memorial Park (est. in 2024), Dacey Playground (est. in 2025), and as the Town/Recreation Department assesses future needs, the Town should prioritize accessibility improvements such as improved surfacing, playground equipment that is designed to be inclusive to persons with disabilities, and the construction of permanent, accessible restroom facilities.
Objective 3.2: Increase usage of existing Recreational spaces and modify existing Recreational space as the needs of the Town require and evolve. In particular, the Recreation Department should assess the demand for its existing programming and for programs/sports that are currently not served or are underserved, or where demand is anticipated to increase over the next seven years, which assessment should inform the development of potential new facilities or modifications to existing Recreational facilities.
Objective 3.3: Assess the feasibility of additional/improved access points for canoes, kayaks and boats to utilize the Charles River and Mine Brook and work with the Charles River Meadowlands to facilitate and promote awareness of these access points.
Objective 3.4: Increase connectivity to and between Franklin’s Recreation Areas, conservation areas, and Open Space including safe walking and bicycle linkages through the creation of a cohesive “Emerald Necklace” linking and promoting access to the Town’s Open Spaces and conservation areas. Connectivity and access improvements should place a particular emphasis on improved access for the elderly, persons with disabilities, and families with young children.
Objective 3.5: Work with DCR and others to continue to increase access to and improvements of the SNETT and State Forest Trail, in particular by assessing the feasibility of extending the SNETT from Grove Street into downtown Franklin through the potential acquisition of property rights over the balance of the former CSX right of way, which has since been acquired by the MBTA/Massachusetts Department of Transportation. Any such expansion of the SNETT should prioritize the construction of surfacing that is accessible to wheelchairs.
Objective 3.6: Assess opportunities for the development of a youth center to provide a meeting place for teens to congregate and participate in indoor sports, gaming and conversation, and for additional indoor Recreational facilities to ease the lack of available indoor facility space. This may include exploring the feasibility of expanding and/or replacing the existing Recreation Department gymnasium, as well as through partnerships with other municipalities and private organizations to increase access to indoor facilities in the region.
GOAL 4: Protect natural, historical and cultural resources and maintain Franklin's New England character.
Objective 4.1: Preserve natural resources for the protection of priority habitats so as to enhance biodiversity which will help sustain native plant and wildlife species and improve the quality and health of natural infrastructure, including through the implementation and completion of Forest Stewardship Plans for app qualifying Open Space areas.
Objective 4.2: Seek the approval of Franklin voters to expand Community Preservation Act funding.
Objective 4.3: Implement growth management techniques that will help to preserve the Town's natural, historic and cultural resources, including through the adoption of updated bylaws addressing/expanding the protection of trees and water resources, and by promoting the sustainable design of public facilities and improvements.
GOAL 5: Preserve and Protect the Town’s Water Resources.
Objective 5.1: Prioritize water bodies in Town for ecological studies to determine overall health of the water body and long term management strategies and programs.
Shared from the Open Space & Recreation Plan update for comment
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